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S (Scripture): Matthew 5:27 [Jesus said:] “You have heard that it was said, Don’t commit adultery. 28 But I say to you that every man who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery in his heart. 29 And if your right eye causes you to fall into sin, tear it out and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to fall into sin, chop it off and throw it away. It’s better that you lose a part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.
O (Observation): Jesus has been re-shaping and re-defining communal boundaries of those who follow God. Jesus is expanding their understanding of what it means to be a follower of God…and what it means to be blessed. Being blessed in God looks upside-down according to the world.
Also, Jesus is re-shaping their understandings of (2 of) The 10 Commandments: Jesus is showing that the commandments are more than just rules to be kept, but rather, a spirit to be embraced.
A (Application): Highpoint Church. Google it. Then come back here.
Jesus mentions not committing adultery. Ok, not committing the act of adultery is the main idea. But Jesus says even lusting after someone is harmful. In other words, the worth and value of the one being lusted after should be kept whole and undefiled, in deed and in spirit. The one committing the act of adultery is to be repentant (and not shaming the victim, or even worse, trying go from being the perpetrator to being the victim).
Perhaps Jesus is getting at another point here, too: just because you proclaim to be free of committing adultery in deed, you may very well be guilty in spirit.
This guilt hopefully leads to the truth coming out and the perpetrator seeking forgiveness and ultimately, justice being done. With Jesus’ understanding, the default would be that we all – in some fashion – have sinned in terms of adultery and that we – not the victim – are most in need of healing.
P (Prayer): Lord, bring us hope and make us accountable to you and other honorable people in this world. Amen.
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